,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bgjh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #d1 #bjbe,mr4 ,kaine 7for himself and ,mr4 ,tillis7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to enhance the preservation1 maintenance1 and management of national historic trails and national scenic trails1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,appalachian ,trail ,centennial ,act4 #b4 ,congressional declaration of policy ,congress declares that-- 7#a7 the large landscape conservation work relating to national historic trails and national scenic trails is built on partnership1 collaboration1 and community engagement2 7#b7 national historic trails and national scenic trails-- 7,a7 are landscape conservation tools2 and 7,b7 are federally designated areas1 but may include portions of non-,federal land under the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abda et seq472 7#c7 national historic trails and national scenic trails are intended to be developed and preserved over time1 collaboratively and cooperatively1 to further the purposes of the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abda et seq472 7#d7 the ,appalachian ,national ,scenic ,trail1 #a of the first #b components of the ,national ,trails ,system-- 7,a7 is a realm of natural1 scenic1 historical1 and cultural wonder available to all2 and 7,b7 is a model for cooperative management and public-private partnership2 7#e7 the centennial of the ,appalachian ,trail ,conservancy in #bjbe is an opportunity to strengthen the precepts of the cooperative management model-- 7,a7 pioneered on the ,appalachian ,national ,scenic ,trail2 and 7,b7 to be replicated as appropriate throughout the ,national ,trails ,system2 7#f7 the development of the ,appalachian ,national ,scenic ,trail is in large part due to the efforts of volunteer organizations 7commonly referred to as ,appalachian ,trail ,maintaining ,clubs7 that-- 7,a7 directly or through subdivisions or subsidiary organizations1 have coordinated the participation of tens of thousands of volunteers for the planning1 construction1 development1 maintenance1 operation1 and stewardship of the ,appalachian ,national ,scenic ,trail1 which inspired the establishment of the ,national ,trails ,system2 and 7,b7 are the expert1 dispersed corps of volunteers who provide much of the day-to-day cooperative operation of the ,appalachian ,national ,scenic ,trail2 7#g7 there are inherently governmental functions referred to in the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abda et seq47 relating to the administration of national historic trails and national scenic trails1 which is distinct from the management and operation of those trails2 7#h7 the ,federal ,government is responsible for-- 7,a7 the administration of national historic trails and national scenic trails2 and 7,b7 in cases in which the ,united ,states is the landowner1 the management of national historic trails and national scenic trails2 7#i7 volunteers1 volunteer organizations1 and other cooperating individuals or entities are empowered to undertake non-inherently governmental and delegable roles in the management and operation of national historic trails and national scenic trails2 7#aj7 the operation of a national historic trail or national scenic trail does not require land management authority over the land on which the national historic trail or national scenic trail is located2 and 7#aa7 it is the policy of the ,federal ,government that national historic trails and national scenic trails-- 7,a7 are conservation units managed and operated in partnership with governmental and nongovernmental entities2 and 7,b7 while administered by ,federal agencies1 are intended to be cooperatively developed with appropriate non-,federal ,governmental and nongovernmental partners4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,administration ,the term administration1 with respect to a covered trail1 means the roles and responsibilities of the ,secretary concerned with respect to the covered trail that may not be shared with any other individual or entity4 7#b7 ,comprehensive plan ,the term comprehensive plan means a comprehensive plan for a covered trail submitted under subsection 7e7 or 7f7 of section #e of the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd74 7#c7 ,cooperative management ,the term cooperative management1 with respect to a covered trail1 means the negotiated division of roles and responsibilities relating to the stewardship and development of the covered trail that are-- 7,a7 permissible under law2 and 7,b7 within the categories of-- 7i7 administration2 7ii7 management2 and 7iii7 operation4 7#d7 ,cooperative management system ,the term cooperative management system1 with respect to a covered trail1 means the negotiated management structure for cooperative management of the covered trail1 including-- 7,a7 ,federal and ,state trust resource managers2 7,b7 ,tribal governments2 7,c7 nongovernmental organizations2 and 7,d7 volunteers organized by entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,c74 7#e7 ,covered trail ,the term covered trail means a national historic trail or national scenic trail designated by section #e7;a7 of the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd7;a774 7#f7 ,designated operational partner ,the term ,designated ,operational ,partner1 with respect to a covered trail1 means the #a or more entities designated for the covered trail under subparagraph 7,a7 or 7,b7 of section #d7;b77#a74 7#g7 ,gateway community ,the term gateway community means a municipality or unincorporated settlement in the vicinity of a covered trail4 7#h7 ,management ,the term management1 with respect to a covered trail1 means the roles and responsibilities under applicable law of the owner of the land1 or any interest in land1 on which the covered trail is located with respect to the covered trail4 7#i7 ,operation 7,a7 ,in general ,the term operation1 with respect to a covered trail1 means any activity permissible under law that-- 7i7 is carried out pursuant to a cooperative agreement on land on which the covered trail is located2 7ii7 is not an activity of administration2 and 7iii7 does not infringe on any management or ownership authority of the applicable land manager1 if the land manager is not the individual or entity carrying out the activity4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,the term operation includes-- 7i7 the identification and acquisition of land for a covered trail2 7ii7 the planning1 construction1 and maintenance of a facility or other improvement on1 across1 or along a covered trail2 7iii7 the provision of services for a covered trail2 7iv7 the conceptual development of a covered trail2 7v7 the maintenance of the treadway of a covered trail2 7vi7 conducting a research project relating to a covered trail2 7vii7 the provision to volunteers of education and training relating to methods of planning for1 construction of1 and maintenance of a covered trail2 and 7viii7 the conservation of natural1 cultural1 or other resources associated with a covered trail4 7#aj7 ,proposed priority list ,the term proposed priority list means a proposed priority list for a covered trail developed under section #d7;b77#c74 7#aa7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7#ab7 ,secretary concerned ,the term ,secretary concerned means-- 7,a7 the ,secretary1 with respect to a covered trail administered by the ,secretary2 and 7,b7 the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 with respect to a covered trail administered by the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 7#ac7 ,visitor capacity ,the term visitor capacity means1 with respect to a covered trail1 the maximum number and types of visitor use that the covered trail can accommodate while achieving and maintaining the desired resource conditions and visitor experiences that are consistent with the purposes for which the covered trail was established1 which may vary for different segments of a covered trail4 7#ad7 ,volunteer organization ,the term volunteer organization means any organization providing operation or management support to a covered trail administrator or land manager1 including by organizing volunteers4 #d4 ,strengthening administration1 management1 and operation for national historic trails and national scenic trails 7a7 ,status ,each covered trail shall be-- 7#a7 a unit of the ,national ,trails ,system2 and 7#b7 a unit of the federally administered area to which the ,secretary concerned assigns the covered trail4 7b7 ,operation 7#a7 ,designated ,operational ,partners 7,a7 ,appalachian trail conservancy ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary concerned shall designate the ,appalachian ,trail ,conservancy as the ,designated ,operational ,partner for the ,appalachian ,national ,scenic ,trail4 7,b7 ,additional designations 7i7 ,in general ,in addition to the designation under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary concerned may designate to serve as the ,designated ,operational ,partner for any other covered trail #a or more eligible entities described in clause 7ii7 that the ,secretary concerned determines-- 7,i7 are capable of supporting the partnership nature of the covered trail as a mechanism for conservation1 volunteer mobilization1 and land and facility management2 and 7,,ii7 would be successful partners for the applicable covered trail4 7ii7 ,description of eligible entities ,an eligible entity referred to in clause 7i7 is an organization1 institution1 corporation1 or other entity that1 as determined by the ,secretary concerned-- 7,i7 is described in section #eja7;c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and exempt from tax under section #eja7;a7 of that ,code2 7,,ii7 has demonstrated experience in the operation1 maintenance1 and preservation of the resources of the covered trail1 regardless of whether the experience was before or after the designation of the covered trail under the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abda et seq472 7,,iii7 has a plan for providing1 facilitating1 and coordinating the services of volunteers to contribute to the stewardship of the covered trail2 7,,iv7 has a record1 including through a predecessor organization1 of engagement with the establishment1 management1 maintenance1 or operation of the covered trail2 7,v7 adheres to reasonable financial1 accounting1 and risk management practices2 7,,vi7 adheres to applicable requirements of ,federal agreements1 grants1 and contracts2 and 7,,vii7 would not supplant an organization already serving a substantial operational role trail-wide for the covered trail or across a significant portion of the covered trail1 unless the ,secretary concerned has determined that the organization being supplanted has failed to perform the responsibilities of the organization under a management agreement with respect to the covered trail4 7iii7 ,qualifications 7,i7 ,in general ,an eligible entity designated as a ,designated ,operational ,partner under clause 7i7 shall be considered to possesses unique expertise1 location capacity1 cost-sharing ability1 or other unique qualities relevant to the designation as a ,designated ,operational ,partner for the covered trail4 7,,ii7 ,no competitive process ,an eligible entity designated as a ,designated ,operational ,partner under clause 7i7 may be a direct beneficiary or recipient of appropriated funds without competition4 7,,iii7 ,present-funded activity ,designation of a ,designated ,operational ,partner for a covered trail shall be considered to be a continuation or completion of a present-funded activity4 7,c7 ,rescission ,the ,secretary concerned may rescind the designation of an eligible entity as a ,designated ,operational ,partner under subparagraph 7,b7 if the ,secretary concerned determines that the eligible entity has ceased to meet #a or more of the criteria described in clause 7ii7 of that subparagraph4 7#b7 ,protection of ,property ,rights 7,a7 ,in general ,if the ,designated ,operational ,partner for a covered trail becomes aware of an allegation of trespass or other infringement or violation of a property right held by the ,federal ,government that adversely affects the identified cultural1 natural1 scenic1 recreational1 or historical resources of the covered trail1 the ,designated ,operational ,partner may submit to the ,secretary concerned and the ,united ,states ,attorney for the ,federal district court in which the alleged violation occurred a written request-- 7i7 to investigate the allegation2 and 7ii7 to enforce the rights of the ,united ,states by preventing1 reducing1 mitigating1 or remediating the adverse effects of the alleged violation4 7,b7 ,notice 7i7 ,in general ,a request under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include1 to the maximum extent practicable1 detailed information relating to the alleged trespass1 infringement1 or violation1 including-- 7,i7 the nature1 location1 duration1 and known identity of any alleged offender2 7,,ii7 any efforts carried out to address the alleged violation2 7,,iii7 any impacts of the alleged violation on the applicable covered trail or resources of the covered trail2 and 7,,iv7 any requested remedy4 7ii7 ,submission requirements ,a request under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be-- 7,i7 submitted to the ,secretary concerned and appropriate ,united ,states ,attorney by-- 7aa7 electronic means2 or 7bb7 delivery to the address on file for official correspondence2 and 7,,ii7 clearly identified as a ,designated ,operational ,partner ,request for ,redress4 7iii7 ,signatures ,a request under subparagraph 7,a7 may be signed by-- 7,i7 the applicable ,designated ,operational ,partner2 and 7,,ii7 any other individual or entity that is a part of the cooperative management system of the applicable covered trail4 7,c7 ,response 7i7 ,assessment ,not later than #fj days after the date on which a request is submitted under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,united ,states ,attorney for the ,federal district court in which the applicable alleged trespass1 infringement1 or violation occurred and the ,designated ,operational ,partner an assessment of the alleged violation4 7ii7 ,additional information from designated operational partner ,not later than #cj days after the date on which the ,designated ,operational ,partner receives an assessment under clause 7i71 the ,designated ,operational ,partner may provide to the ,secretary concerned and the relevant ,united ,states ,attorney additional information relating to the alleged violation4 7iii7 ,response from ,united ,states attorney ,not later than #aej days after the date on which a request is submitted to a ,united ,states ,attorney under subparagraph 7,a71 and not later than #fj days after the date on which a ,designated ,operational ,partner provides additional information under clause 7ii7 to the ,united ,states ,attorney1 if applicable1 the ,united ,states ,attorney shall submit to the ,secretary concerned and the ,designated ,operational ,partner information regarding whether the ,united ,states ,attorney is pursuing redress for the alleged violation4 7,d7 ,litigation costs ,in issuing any final order with respect to a petition brought under this subsection1 the relevant ,federal district court may award to a ,designated ,operational ,partner the costs of petitioning 7including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees7 if the ,secretary or ,united ,states ,attorney takes action to address the alleged violation of the rights of the ,united ,states4 7,e7 ,effect ,nothing in this paragraph-- 7i7 limits any cause of action that the ,federal ,government may have under any other law2 7ii7 obligates-- 7,i7 a ,designated ,operational ,partner to participate1 or to present claims or defenses1 in any civil action relating to the property rights of the ,federal ,government2 or 7,,ii7 the ,federal ,government to participate1 or to present claims or defenses1 in any civil action relating to the property rights of the ,designated ,operational ,partner2 or 7iii7 makes-- 7,i7 a ,designated ,operational ,partner a necessary party in any action relating to the property rights of the ,federal ,government2 or 7,,ii7 the ,federal ,government a necessary party in any action relating to the property rights of the ,designated ,operational ,partner4 7#c7 ,land and resource protection proposed priority lists 7,a7 ,in general ,each ,designated ,operational ,partner shall periodically develop and submit to the ,secretary concerned and the heads of any other appropriate ,federal land management agencies a proposed priority list for land and resource protection for the applicable covered trail4 7,b7 ,applicable law 7i7 ,in general ,a proposed priority list shall be considered to advance the planning and development of the applicable covered trail in accordance with section #b7;c7 of the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abda7;c774 7ii7 ,effect ,nothing in this ,act-- 7,i7 conveys any land protection authority not included in the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abda et seq472 or 7,,ii7 prioritizes the use of funds for land protection projects on covered trails over funds for other land protection projects4 7,c7 ,contents ,a ,designated ,operational ,partner shall include on a proposed priority list-- 7i7 the location and current ownership of each parcel of land identified for inclusion in the applicable covered trail2 7ii7 the desired nature of ownership of each parcel of land identified for inclusion in the covered trail1 including a partial or fee ownership2 7iii7 the name of the owner of each identified parcel of land2 7iv7 a description of the benefit to the covered trail in the preservation of scenic1 recreational1 historical1 natural1 or cultural values for which the covered trail was designated2 and 7v7 the name of any nongovernmental partner committed to advancing the protection of parcels of land identified on the proposed priority list for inclusion in the covered trail4 7,d7 ,input2 criteria ,in developing a proposed priority list1 a ,designated ,operational ,partner shall-- 7i7 solicit input from a variety of governmental1 nongovernmental1 ,federal1 and ,state partners1 the scope of which shall be limited to a landscape or physiographic region agreed to by the ,designated ,operational ,partner and the ,secretary concerned2 and 7ii7 establish criteria to prioritize land and resource protection recommendations included on the proposed priority list4 7,e7 ,use of ,federal funds 7i7 ,in general ,in using ,federal funds to protect land for a covered trail-- 7,i7 the ,secretary concerned shall prioritize the use of funds for land identified for ,federal protection in the applicable proposed priority list1 except to the extent that the ,secretary concerned determines1 based on considerations set forth in the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abda et seq47 and the comprehensive plan for the covered trail1 and subject to clause 7ii71 that-- 7aa7 a parcel of land included on the proposed priority list should not be prioritized2 or 7bb7 a parcel of land not included on the proposed priority list should be prioritized2 and 7,,ii7 a ,state is encouraged to incorporate land identified for ,state protection in the applicable land and resource conservation plan of the ,state1 as appropriate1 in accordance with ,state law4 7ii7 ,notice ,if the ,secretary concerned determines under clause 7i77,i7 that a parcel of land included on the proposed priority list should not be prioritized or that a parcel of land not included on the proposed priority list should be prioritized instead of a parcel of land included on the proposed priority list1 the ,secretary concerned shall submit to the ,designated ,operational ,partner notice of the determination1 including a detailed explanation of the reason for the determination4 7,f7 ,reports ,not less frequently than once every #e years1 the ,secretaries concerned shall submit to ,congress a report that describes any progress or lack of progress of the ,secretaries concerned with respect to advancing land and resource conservation objectives under proposed priority lists4 7,g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to each of the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,agriculture such sums as are necessary to carry out planning activities relating to the development1 updating1 and implementation of proposed priority lists under this paragraph4 7#d7 ,acceptance or rejection of comprehensive plans 7,a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding subsections 7e7 and 7f7 of section #e of the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd71 a ,designated ,operational ,partner may accept or reject-- 7i7 a proposed comprehensive plan for the applicable covered trail2 and 7ii7 any amendments or revisions to the comprehensive plan for the applicable covered trail 7other than an addendum to a comprehensive plan for the applicable covered trail prepared in accordance with the process established under subsection 7g77#c774 7,b7 ,report ,if a comprehensive plan or amendment or revision to a comprehensive plan rejected by a ,designated ,operational ,partner under subparagraph 7,a7 is subsequently submitted to ,congress1 the ,secretary concerned shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives a report that describes the basis for the submission of the rejected comprehensive plan or amendment or revision to the comprehensive plan by the ,secretary concerned4 7#e7 ,surplus personal property 7,a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding subchapter ,,iii of chapter #e of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 a ,federal agency may dispose of surplus personal property by transferring the property to a ,designated ,operational ,partner1 to be used by the ,designated ,operational ,partner for purposes of carrying out a cooperative agreement entered into under section #g7;h7 of the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdf7;h774 7,b7 ,prohibition ,a transfer of surplus personal property under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be subject to the condition that the ,designated ,operational ,partner to whom the property is transferred 7including any subsidiary or subdivision of the ,designated ,operational ,partner7 may not-- 7i7 use the transferred property for purposes other than carrying out the duties and authorities of the ,designated ,operational ,partner under the cooperative agreement2 or 7ii7 transfer the transferred property to a recipient that is not a part of the cooperative management system of the covered trail4 7c7 ,management ,nothing in this ,act or the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abda et seq47-- 7#a7 provides any authority to a ,designated ,operational ,partner1 other volunteer organization1 volunteer1 or other individual or entity any authority to issue1 amend1 or revoke any land use authorization unless provided for explicitly by statute2 7#b7 except as specifically provided in this ,act or the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abda et seq471 removes or transfers any authority otherwise provided by law2 or 7#c7 except as authorized by the processes established under this ,act or the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abda et seq471 provides any ,designated ,operational ,partner1 other volunteer organization1 volunteer1 or any other individual or entity authority over the property1 holdings1 or possessory or other interest of any other partner to a covered trail4 7d7 ,administration 7#a7 ,in general ,in making administration1 management1 or operational decisions that would impact the ability of volunteers or a volunteer organization to serve a substantial role on covered trails1 the ,secretary concerned shall-- 7,a7 rather than presuming absolute control over the covered trail by the ,federal ,government1 encourage the participation of volunteers and volunteer organizations2 and 7,b7 to the extent practicable1 remedy constraints on supporting the role of volunteers and volunteer organizations on covered trails4 7#b7 ,regulations ,the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall use the rulemaking authority of section #g7;i7 of the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdf7;i771 the ,federal ,lands ,recreation ,enhancement ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #fhja et seq471 and any other applicable law to establish1 by regulation1 a fee collection and distribution system under which the administrator of a covered trail may collect all permits and fees levied by federally administered areas and ,state-administered areas traversed by a covered trail1 to be remitted to the applicable federally administered area or ,state-administered area levying the permits and fees4 7#c7 ,applicable law ,chapter #aj of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 shall not apply to the cooperative management of a covered trail4 7e7 ,availability of funds 7#a7 ,in general ,a covered trail shall be eligible for funds made available for-- 7,a7 a unit of the ,national ,trails ,system2 7,b7 any federally administered area to which the covered trail is assigned2 and 7,c7 any federally administered area traversed by the covered trail4 7#b7 ,multiple agencies ,the location of a covered trail on land managed by #a ,federal agency shall have no impact on the eligibility of the covered trail for funding for any project1 planning1 volunteer or visitor support effort1 or any other component of administering a covered trail by any other ,federal agency4 7#c7 ,land and water conservation fund ,a covered trail shall be eligible for amounts made available from the ,land and ,water ,conservation ,fund established under chapter #bjjc of title #ed1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#d7 ,partnerships ,the ,secretary concerned shall use interagency and intergovernmental partnerships to ensure the maximum recreational and conservation potential of a covered trail is achieved4 7f7 ,cooperative agreements ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the administrator of a covered trail shall enter into a cooperative agreement under the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd et seq471 for a term of not longer than #bj years1 with a volunteer organization partner1 under which-- 7#a7 the administrator of the covered trail shall delegate to the volunteer organization partner the authority to operate the covered trail 7including the provision of financial assistance for such purpose72 7#b7 operational and management responsibilities with respect to the covered trail shall be shared between the administrator of the covered trail and volunteer organization partner1 including subsidiaries or delegees of the volunteer organization partner2 or 7#c7 any other appropriate arrangement between the administrator of the covered trail and the volunteer organization partner authorized by the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd et seq47 shall be carried out4 7g7 ,comprehensive plans 7#a7 ,in general ,the applicable comprehensive plan-- 7,a7 shall be incorporated into the management of each federally administered area traversed by the covered trail2 and 7,b7 should be appropriately considered by ,state-administered areas that are traversed by a covered trail4 7#b7 ,incorporation ,in updating a general management plan or similar unit-level plan applicable to a federally administered area traversed by a covered trail1 the ,secretary concerned shall incorporate the requirements of any applicable comprehensive plan4 7#c7 ,rulemaking 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary concerned shall use the rulemaking authority of section #g7;i7 of the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdf7;i77 to establish1 by regulation1 a process for addenda to comprehensive plans1 as appropriate1 to address location-or topic-specific administration1 management1 or operation issues4 7,b7 ,requirement ,the process established under subparagraph 7,a7 shall require that any addendum to a comprehensive plan shall be developed after consultation with the applicable land manager and ,designated ,operational ,partner1 as applicable4 7#d7 ,visitor capacity ,for a covered trail that is subject to subsection 7e7 or 7f7 of section #e of the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd71 the applicable comprehensive plan shall ensure that the visitor capacity requirement for the covered trail is determined based on visitor capacities for targeted sites1 trail segments1 or areas of the covered trail4 #e4 ,improving covered trail planning and development 7a7 ,visitor capacity ,the ,secretary concerned shall determine the visitor capacity of a covered trail that is subject to subsection 7e7 or 7f7 of section #e of the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abdd7-- 7#a7 based on the desired conditions of the specific portion or segment of a covered trail rather than the entire covered trail2 and 7#b7 in accordance with applicable laws and agency policies1 including the applicable comprehensive plan4 7b7 ,economic impact assessment 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and not less frequently than once every #e years thereafter1 the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall identify #a or more methods to assess the economic impact of covered trails on gateway communities4 7#b7 ,requirements ,in identifying methods under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall1 to the maximum extent practicable-- 7,a7 aggregate and extrapolate economic impact information from existing data1 such as data from land units on which covered trails are located2 7,b7 use ,state and county economic impact information2 7,c7 partner with ,state and local governments2 and 7,d7 leverage the cooperative management systems of the covered trails and local and landscape-wide partnerships to obtain and process relevant information and report any relevant findings4 7c7 ,advancing covered trail planning 7#a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7,a7 the designation of a covered trail is the onset of the long-term development and planning for the covered trail1 rather than the conclusion of those activities2 and 7,b7 the cultivation of partnerships1 the acquisition of land1 including interests in land and land use agreements1 the conduct of accessible and inclusive interpretation1 and the development of recreational facilities1 as appropriate for covered trails1 are needed to advance the purposes of the ,national ,trails ,system ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #abda et seq47 to meet the ever-expanding outdoor recreation needs of the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,reports ,the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 acting jointly1 shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives-- 7,a7 not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 a report that describes the successes and challenges in developing and planning covered trails2 and 7,b7 not later than #e years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 a report that assesses the desired conditions and use of facilities on each covered trail with respect to-- 7i7 visitor usage of specific segments or sites of the covered trail1 including the extent to which visitors use the covered trail in groups of not fewer than #aj individuals2 7ii7 proposed priority segments or sites for additional facilities or protection of additional land or resources identified by relevant cooperative management partners2 and 7iii7 any activities that the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,agriculture determine are necessary to advance the development of and planning for the covered trail consistent with the partnership nature of covered trails4 7#c7 ,community engagement ,in preparing the reports under paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall consult with-- 7,a7 communities located in the vicinity of the proposed segments and sites described in paragraph 7#b77;,b77ii72 7,b7 federally recognized ,indian ,tribes2 7,c7 any ,federal and ,state agencies that manage land traversed by covered trails2 and 7,d7 ,designated ,operational ,partners and other cooperative management partners of covered trails4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary and the ,secretary of ,agriculture-- 7#a7 for each of fiscal years #bjbf through #bjca1 such sums as are necessary-- 7,a7 to carry out subsection 7a72 7,b7 to identify the methods under subsection 7b72 and 7,c7 to prepare the reports required under subsection 7c72 and 7#b7 for each of fiscal years #bjbf through #bjca1 through programs determined to be appropriate by the ,secretary and the ,secretary1 such sums as are necessary for the acquisition1 construction1 and development of facilities 7including the acquisition of land or interests in land7 for covered trails4